Jim Varney, the comic who most recently provided the voice of Slinky Dog in
TOY STORY and TOY STORY 2, died on Thursday, February 10, 2000 at his
Tennessee home of lung cancer. He was 50 years old. Best known for his
Ernest character in commercials, television and films, Varney also provided
voice over work for characters on the THE SIMPSONS. Varney was the star of
several Disney Ernest films, most notably ERNEST GOES TO CAMP and ERNEST
SAVES CHRISTMAS. Doctors diagnosed Varney with cancer in August 1998, and
within months it had spread to his brain. The disease appeared to be in
remission in late 1999, which allowed the actor to film the live-action
movie DADDY AND THEM starring Billy Bob Thorton.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
